Network of electronic devices assembled on a flexible support and communication method

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of a network of electronic devices is formed on a flexible substrate by a plurality of electronic devices assembled on the flexible substrate. The electronic devices have an embedded antenna for mutual coupling of a wireless type. Each electronic device is formed by a chip or a complex system integrating a transceiver circuit coupled to the embedded antenna and a functional part coupled to the transceiver circuit and including at least one element chosen in the group comprising: a sensor, an actuator, an interface, an electrode, a memory, a control unit, a power-supply unit, a converter, an adapter, a digital circuit, an analog circuit, an RF circuit, a microelectromechanical system, an electrode, a well, a cell, a container for liquids. The flexible support may be a substrate of plastic material that incorporates the electronic devices or a garment having smart buttons that house the electronic devices.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The instant application claims priority to Italian Patent ApplicationNo. TO2012A000477, filed May 31, 2012, which application is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

An embodiment relates to a network of electronic devices assembled on aflexible support and to a communication method.

SUMMARY

As is known, the majority of current electronic devices are formed insilicon chips by virtue of the excellent characteristics of thissemiconductor material. However, one of the limitations of siliconresides in its lack of flexibility, which prevents use thereof in someapplications. For example, silicon is far from suited for application onfabrics or other substrates that, owing to or during their use, mayundergo folding. On the other hand, the alternative materials currentlyunder study, such as conductor or semiconductor polymeric materials,have electrical characteristics that are incomparably worse than thoseof silicon so that they currently do not represent a feasiblealternative.

It is thus desirable to provide embodiments that enable implementationof circuits or networks of electronic devices of a flexible type.However, the coupling of electronic devices of a conventional type withflexible supports, for example, a fabric or a plastic support, isproblematic.

In fact, currently, the couplings between electronic devices requireelectrical conductive paths, which, however, entail limitations in thetype and degree of flexibility. For example, ribbon couplers of plasticmaterial available on the market may be folded, but the maximum radiusof curvature typically must be much greater than the thickness of thecoupler, for example, ten times greater. Another limitation resides inthe number of bending or folding events that the supports may undergo.For example, some prior couplers allow only a single folding operation,for example during assembly, and cannot modify their spatial arrangementsubsequently.

Thus, it is desirable to provide embodiments where the support mayundergo events of folding, bending, pulling, twisting, or other types ofstress, without undergoing damage, breaking, or creating points andlines of interruption such as to jeopardize the electrical continuityand thus render the entire network unusable.

An embodiment is a network of integrated electronic devices thatovercomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the concepts disclosed herein, one or moreembodiments are now described, purely by way of non-limiting example,with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show, in side view and in top plan view, a smart panel orribbon, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a device belonging to the present networkaccording to an embodiment;

FIGS. 4 a, 4 b and 4 c show cross-sections, taken along section planeIV-IV of FIG. 2, of two different embodiments of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a different embodiment of the present network, in top planview;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show cross-sections of possible embodiments of a detail ofthe device of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are cross-sections of a detail of the device of FIG. 3according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of a terminal portion of the presentnetwork according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the portion of FIG. 10 according to anembodiment;

FIG. 12 shows different embodiments of the present network, in top planview;

FIG. 13 is a cross-section of an embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a different embodiment of the present network,respectively in top plan view and in perspective sectional view takenalong the plane XV-XV of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 shows a different embodiment of the present network, incross-sectional view;

FIG. 17 shows a different embodiment of the present network in top planview;

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of the present network to be applied toa garment;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the network of FIG. 18 according to anembodiment;

FIGS. 20 a and 20 b show two examples of conductive wires that may beused in the network of FIG. 18 according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 21 a and 21 b are, respectively, a top plan view and across-sectional view of an embodiment of a node of the network of FIG.21;

FIGS. 22 a, 22 b and 23 show variants of the node of FIG. 21 a, in topplan view according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 24 and 25 are two possible cross-sections of the detail of FIG. 23according to an embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of another detail of the network of FIG. 18according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 27 a and 27 a are top plan views of a different detail of thenetwork of FIG. 18 according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 28-30 are cross-sections of embodiments of a detail complementaryto the detail of FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 shows a different embodiment of the present network, once againto be applied to a garment;

FIG. 32 shows a cross-section of the enlarged detail of the network ofFIG. 31 according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 33 a and 33 b show in top plan view, in an unbuttoned condition,and in cross-section, in a buttoned condition, a different embodiment ofthe enlarged detail of the network of FIG. 31;

FIGS. 34-36 show another variant of the enlarged detail of the networkof FIG. 31, respectively in top plan view and in cross-sectional viewand of a single flap of the garment according to an embodiment;

FIG. 37 shows a cross-sectional view of a different detail of thenetwork of FIG. 31 according to an embodiment;

FIG. 38 is a top plan view of a detail complementary to that of FIG. 37according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 39 is a block diagram of the coupling to two networks, once againfor application to a garment or to two different garments according toan embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-17, a flexible substrate 15 carries,embedded inside it, a plurality of devices 1, so as to form a smartpanel 20. The devices 1 are electrically separate, but magneticallycoupled together.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the smart panel 20 is in theform of a ribbon, and the flexible substrate 15 is of flexible material,for example polymeric material such as Kapton or Teflon, which laterallysurrounds the devices 1 (as may be noted from FIG. 2), but is level withthese at the top and at the bottom, as may be noted from FIG. 1.

The smart panel 20 may have, however, any shape, not necessarilyelongated.

The devices 1 have each at least one antenna 4 of a near-field type. Twomagnetic strips 17 extend above or inside the flexible substrate 15 inproximity of or contiguous to the antennas 4, and the magnetic strips 17have a width that is, for example, smaller than the correspondingdimension of the antennas. According to an embodiment, and withreference to the orientation shown in FIG. 2, if the devices 1 have asingle antenna 4, this is vertically aligned to one of the two magneticstrips 17 (as shown in FIG. 2); if the devices 2 have two antennas 4,each antenna 4 is arranged vertically aligned with respect to arespective magnetic strip 17 or to coupled magnetic portions, asdiscussed hereinafter.

The magnetic strips 17 have first ends that may be coupled together (asindicated by the dashed line 12) to form a closed magnetic circuit (withthe possibility of interruptions or air gaps), and second ends coupledto a magnetic generator 18, generating, in use, a magnetic field B. Inthis way, as shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic field B is substantiallyconfined within the two magnetic strips 17 and is oriented in each ofthem in an opposite direction. In practice, the magnetic strips 17 forma magnetic circuit, which, thanks to the coupling with the antennas 4,couples the devices 1 in a network 14.

The magnetic circuit enables efficient transmission of signals and powerbetween the devices 1 in absence of physical or electrical contact.Furthermore, any possible failure of the magnetic strips 17, for exampleas a result of repeated folding of the flexible substrate 15, does notinterrupt the circuit. Moreover, because of the magnetic couplingbetween the antennas 4 and the strips 17, no electrical-contact pads orregions are necessary on the flexible substrate 15, which could reducethe flexibility thereof and may undergo damage. In addition, it is notrequired for the strips 17 to be continuous, but gaps, i.e., absence ofmagnetic material in one or more short stretches, may exist or arisewithout this implying interruption and thus malfunctioning of thenetwork 14. In this way, if mechanical stresses, folds with a smallradius of curvature, or repeated folding or stresses of any other kind(including aging) were to lead to discontinuities of the magnetic strips17, this would not jeopardize communication between the devices 1 orbetween the devices and their supply.

The network 16 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be obtained in the following way:initially the devices 1 are glued on a supporting plate, for example,provided with an adhesive surface; then the plastic material is appliedin a liquid or molten condition, at a temperature such as not to damagethe devices 1, for example by spinning; next, polymerization andhardening of the plastic material is carried out; and finally the excessplastic material parts are removed from the top surface, for example byetching and planarization until the devices 1 are exposed, if sodesired. Finally, if necessary, the obtained structure is cut into thedesired shapes or divided into various parts, for example variousribbons.

The magnetic strips 17 may be obtained, for example, by inkjet printing,using an ink used in the semiconductor industry containing magneticparticles. As an alternative, the technique of aerosol printing ofmagnetic material may be used, or the magnetic strips 17 may bepre-molded and applied. For example, the magnetic strips 17 may be ofsoft magnetic material, such as CoZrTa, FeHfH(O) and the like, chosenalso on the basis of the frequencies used for communications between thedevices 1. If high frequencies are used, of the order of some gigahertz,then the material may be subject to thermal annealing steps in thepresence of a magnetic field (magnetic annealing) to optimize thecharacteristics of the magnetic material.

Alternatively, as discussed hereinafter with reference to FIG. 4 a, thepolymeric material parts of the flexible substrate 15 surrounding thedevices 1 also at the top are not removed. In this case, it is alsopossible to apply a polymeric material layer on the rear side of thepanel 20, after it has been flipped over. In this case, the devices 1are completely embedded in the flexible substrate 15. It is alsopossible to apply the further polymeric material layer after forming ofthe magnetic strips 17, thereby embedding the strips within the panel20.

FIG. 3 shows the basic structure of a device 1 forming part of thenetwork 14 of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to an embodiment. In its basicstructure, each device 1 includes an electronic part 2 and the antenna4. In addition, one or more non-electronic elements 8 may be provided,coupled to the electronic part 2. The device 1 may also include morethan one antenna, for example, two antennas 4, as discussed hereinafter.

In turn, the electronic part 2 includes an integrated circuit 7 and atransceiver circuit 3.

For example, the integrated circuit 7 (schematically represented in thefigure by electronic components 9) may operate, possibly together withthe non-electronic components 8, as a sensor, actuator, interface, orelectrode; in addition, the integrated circuit 7 may be a memory, acontrol unit, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a power-supply unit,a converter, an adapter, a digital circuit, an analog circuit, an RFcircuit, etc.

The non-electronic element or elements 8, of anelectrical/mechanical/chemical type, may be, for example,microelectromechanical systems (MEMS, NEMS, for example constitutingsensors or actuators), or electrodes, wells, cells, vials for liquids,microchannels, etc.

The transceiver circuit 3 may be physically separate from the integratedcircuit 7 or together therewith.

The transceiver circuit 3 has the function of coupling the integratedcircuit 7 to the antenna 4 for transmitting or receiving signals orpower and typically includes a transponder or a transceiver and AC/DC orDC/AC converter circuits.

Each antenna 4 is formed in the proximity of a main surface 10 of thedevice 1 or faces said surface, and is generally provided as loopantenna (with one turn or multiple turns), even though it is possible touse jointly other types of antennas, such as, for example, Hertziandipoles, or interfaces of a capacitive type. In particular, the antennamay be obtained following the teachings of patent application No. WO2010/076187, which is incorporated by reference.

The device 1 may further include a magnetic via 13, extending inside thedevice, underneath the antenna 4 (with respect to the main surface 10)or within the antenna 4 (as described, for example, in aforesaid patentapplication WO 2010/076187) as far as a second main surface 11 oppositeto the first main surface 10; the magnetic via 13 is electricallyuncoupled from the antenna 4. The magnetic via 13 is, for example,shaped like a truncated pyramid or a truncated cone set upside down.

As has been mentioned, the device 1 may be formed by a semiconductorchip or by a complex system. Typically, if the integrated device 1 isformed by a chip (as shown, for example, in FIG. 4 a), this includes asemiconductor substrate 21 and a dielectric layer 22. The semiconductorsubstrate 21, for example of silicon, houses the electronic part 2 andpossibly the non-electronic elements 8 (at least partially, since, insome applications, these may project from the device 1). The dielectriclayer 22 houses antenna or antennas 4 and the possible internalcouplings of conductive material, for example metal, which form variousmetallization levels coupled by vias, in a per se known manner, notshown.

Instead, if the integrated device 1 is a more complex system, it may beformed by a package housing packaged systems and devices, for exampleSoCs (Systems-on-Chip), SiPs (Systems-in-Package), in turn integratingthe electronic part 2 or the non-electronic elements 8, and the antennaor antennas 4. For example, the device 1 may be packaged using atechnique similar to the wafer-level chip-scale packaging, applying aresin for moulding on a main surface and on the sides of the wafer,turning over the wafer, and providing the rest of the system on the freeface.

For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 4 a, the device 1 is formed by achip. Moreover, here, the flexible substrate 15 completely surrounds thedevice 1 and the magnetic strips 17. Alternatively, as indicated, theflexible substrate 15 may be flush or level with the top or bottomsurface of the chip, and the magnetic strips 17 may extend over theflexible substrate 15; in addition, the chip 1 may have two antennas 4.

FIG. 4 b shows a device 1 formed by a chip, here coated, on its entireouter surface, by a package 23 of moulded resin. In this case, at leastone magnetic via 24 is formed through the package 23, vertically alignedto the antenna 4 and to one of the two magnetic strips 17. In theexample shown, the device 1 has two antennas 4; consequently, twomagnetic vias 24 are present, in direct contact with the respectivemagnetic strips 17. Here, the flexible substrate 15 surrounds the device1 only laterally, but could surround it also at the top or at thebottom.

In this way, the device 1 is sturdier, since it is protected on theoutside by the package 23.

In the device 1 of FIG. 4 b, the antennas 4, the magnetic vias 24, andthe magnetic strips 17 are all arranged on a same side (top side) of thedevice 1.

However, they may be arranged both in the top portion and in the bottomportion of the device 1. For example, in a variant not shown, both theantennas 4, just one magnetic via 24, and just one magnetic strip 17 maybe arranged in the top part of the device 1, and the other magnetic via24 and the other magnetic strip 17 may be arranged in the bottom part.In this case, a magnetic path (not shown) that laterally surrounds thedevice 1 may couple the magnetic via arranged at the bottom to thecorresponding antenna arranged at the top, or alternatively a magneticvia 13 similar to that of FIG. 3 may be formed.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 4 c, the antenna 4 is no longer providedsubstantially parallel to the surfaces 10 and 11 of the device 1, butextends substantially parallel to a vertical plane. For example, theantenna 4 may be formed in part (first portion 400) in the dielectriclayer 22 of the device 1, and in part (second portion 401) in a toplayer 14, formed by the flexible substrate 15 (similarly to FIG. 4 a) orby a separate layer, such as a flexible printed-circuit board. In thisway, the antenna 4 may surround the magnetic strip 17. The secondportion 401 may be obtained with known techniques, such as, for example,via wire bonding or paths of conductive material coupled to contact pads(not shown) of the device 1. In a variant, the second portion 401 may besurrounded by or included in a package 23 similar to FIG. 4 b. Inaddition, even though FIG. 4 c shows the antenna 4 formed by two turns,the number of turns may be different (one or more than two).

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment where the magnetic strips 17 are not shapedas straight lines, but are formed by segments of any shape, or are evencurved. Such an embodiment may prove advantageous when the flexiblesubstrate 15 undergoes frequent folding and bending since it bestows agreater flexibility on the magnetic strips 17, above all in thedirection transverse to the length of the smart panel 20. Theflexibility of the magnetic strips 17 may also be increased if each ofthem is formed by the superposition of a plurality of layers, in whichcase their flexibility is increased in the direction of the thickness ofthe smart panel 20.

Furthermore, in FIG. 5, also the devices 1 are arranged in a non-alignedway with respect to the longitudinal direction of the smart panel 20.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show two alternatives of coupling between two antennas 4and the transceiver 3 of a same device 1. In FIG. 6, the antennas 4 arearranged in series with respect to one another and to the transceiver 3.Thus, as a result of the magnetic field B concentrated in the magneticstrips 17, a current Ia is generated within the antennas 4, having thesame amplitude in both antennas, but traversing the turns of the twoantennas 4 in opposite directions. In practice, in one of the twoantennas 4 there is a conversion of energy from magnetic into electricaland in the other antenna 4 there is a conversion of energy fromelectrical to magnetic.

By introducing a modulation of the magnetic field, it is possible totransmit and receive electrical signals. In fact, the current Iagenerated in a first of the two antennas 4 flows also in the transceiver3, which thus, in addition to extracting power, extracts the modulatedelectrical signals at input and transmits them to the integrated circuit7 (FIG. 3). In addition, the transceiver 3 receives electrical outputsignals from the integrated circuit 7, supplies them to the otherantenna 4, and this transmits the signals to the magnetic strip 17coupled thereto. The transceiver 3, in particular, may contain an AC/DCand DC/AC converter. Transmission and reception may moreover take placein both antennas.

For example, the modulation could be of an ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying)type and regard 10% of the amplitude of the magnetic field B, while theremaining 90% is dedicated to power supply. The frequencies that may beused may be, for example, in approximately the 10 MHz-10 GHz range.

FIG. 7 shows a solution with parallel coupling. Here, the two antennas 4are coupled together via two lines 30, and the transceiver 3 is coupledwith a first terminal to one of the two lines and with a second terminalto the other line 30. In this case, one of the two antennas 4 istraversed by a first current Ia, and the other antenna 4 is traversed bya second current Ib.

In a variant not shown, each of the two antennas 4 is coupled to arespective pair of terminals of the transceiver 3 (which is aquadrupole). In this way, there is a cascaded coupling between the firstantenna, the transceiver, and the second antenna, and thus the twoantennas 4 of the device 1 are not directly coupled together.

Also further variants are possible. In particular, if the device 1integrates two integrated circuits 7, these may be coupled both inseries, both in parallel, or one in series and the other in parallel, ina way not shown.

In FIG. 8, two magnetic vias 31 extend through the dielectric layer 22and through respective antennas 4, vertically aligned to a respectivemagnetic strip 17. Two magnetic regions 32 extend underneath theantennas 4, each coupled to a respective magnetic via 31.

The magnetic regions 32 enable closing of the lines of force of themagnetic field and increase of the coupling between the antennas 4 andthe corresponding magnetic strips 17.

As an alternative to FIG. 8, it may be possible to have a singlemagnetic via 31 and a single magnetic region 32, in particular if justone antenna 4 is present.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment with a single magnetic region 33 extendingbetween the two magnetic vias 31. In an alternative embodiment, themagnetic region 33 extends between the two antennas 4, underneath them,even in absence of the magnetic vias 31. In yet another alternative (notshown), it may be possible to have just one antenna 4, traversed by afirst magnetic via 31 coupled to a second magnetic via 31 without anantenna. The embodiment of FIG. 9 and the alternatives described enableclosure of the magnetic field and may be used for the last device 1 soas to implement the coupling 12 of FIG. 2, or also in an intermediateway so as to have a plurality of closure points of the magnetic field ina distributed way.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a possible implementation of the coupling of themagnetic strips 17 to the magnetic generator 18. In detail, two finalmagnetic vias 35 a, 35 b extend underneath the second ends 19 of themagnetic strips, through the entire thickness of the flexible substrate15, and have, for example, the shape of a truncated cone, and end inproximity of a closure or closing region 36.

The closing region 36 is of magnetic material and extends on the rearside of the panel 20, between the final magnetic vias 35 a, 35 b so asto close the magnetic circuit. A conductor 37, for example a metal wire,is wound around one of the final magnetic vias 35 a, 35 b, here thefinal magnetic via 35 b, and is coupled to a power-supply unit 38. Thepower-supply unit 38 includes a radio-frequency AC current source andcontrol electronics, of a known type, and may be external (asrepresented with a solid line) or embedded in the flexible substrate (asrepresented with a dashed line). In practice, the conductor 37 forms anelectric winding that transforms the AC current supplied by thepower-supply unit 38 into the magnetic field B. The radio-frequency ACcurrent source generates at least one signal (for example, a sinusoid, asquare wave, a triangular wave) at least one frequency. In one variant,a signal at a first frequency F0 may supply a plurality of devices 1,and a set of signals or carriers at different frequencies F1-Fn may beused by various devices 1 for communicating with each other. Thepower-supply unit 38 may possibly also include transceiver circuits forenabling an external system to communicate with the smart panel 20, orfor enabling passage of information from one carrier at the frequency Fito a carrier at the frequency Fj.

FIG. 12 shows a different conformation of the strips 17, which, insteadof extending over the devices 1, extend alongside the latter and areprovided with projections 40 ending on top of the devices 1. Inpractice, the projections 40, four different pairs shown in the figure,extend transverse to the magnetic strips 17. In the three pairs ofprojections further to the right, the projections are each formed by asingle segment that ends above a respective antenna 4. In the pairfurther to the left, the projections 40 are formed by a first segment 40a extending from and transverse to a respective magnetic strip 17 and bya second segment 40 b extending from and transverse to the first segment40 a and ending at the antennas 4 of two adjacent devices 1.

In FIG. 12, the arrows indicate the direction of the magnetic field B inthe projections 40.

The projections 40 are formed together with the magnetic strips 17, ofthe same material and with the same thickness, as may be seen in thecross-section of FIG. 13, where the device 1 is completely embedded inthe flexible substrate 15. Magnetic vias 24, similar to the homologousones of FIG. 4 b, may be provided in the flexible substrate 15, betweenthe projections 40 and the antennas 4.

FIGS. 14-15 show a network 14 where the devices 1 are arranged ondifferent levels and are coupled to magnetic strips 17, which are alsoarranged on more levels. In practice, each level is formed by a flexiblesupport 15 housing a plurality of devices 1 and magnetic strips 17forming one or more magnetic circuits magnetically coupled to thedevices 1.

The shown example has three levels, the elements whereof are identifiedby the letters a, b and c. The devices in the top level are designatedby 1 a, the devices in the intermediate level are designated by 1 b, andthe devices in the bottom level are designated by 1 c, these devicesbeing surrounded, respectively, by a top flexible support 15 a, anintermediate flexible support 15 b, and a bottom flexible support 15 c.

Here, the devices 1 a, 1 b and 1 c are coupled to magnetic strips 17a-17 d, which extend on four different surfaces so as to reduce thenumber of magnetic strips 17. In the example shown, a first magneticstrip 17 a (where the magnetic field has a first direction, see FIG. 15)extends over the top flexible support 15 a; a second magnetic strip 17 b(where the magnetic field has a second, opposite, direction) extendsbetween the top flexible support 15 a and the intermediate flexiblesupport 15 b, surrounded by insulating or dielectric material 50 (whichmay be of the same type as the type of material used for the flexiblesupport); a third magnetic strip 17 c (where the magnetic field has thefirst direction) extends between the intermediate flexible support 15 band the bottom flexible support 15 c, surrounded by the dielectricmaterial 50; and the fourth magnetic strip 17 d (where the magneticfield has the second direction) extends underneath the bottom flexiblesupport 15 c, surrounded by the dielectric material 50.

The first magnetic strip 17 a is coupled to the devices 1 a of the toplevel via first projections 40 c coplanar to the first magnetic strip 17a. The second magnetic strip 17 b is coupled to the devices 1 a of thetop level via second projections 40 d coplanar to the first magneticstrip 17 a and magnetic coupling vias 51 a traversing the first flexiblesubstrate 15 a. The second magnetic strip 17 b is moreover coupled tothe devices 1 b of the intermediate level through third projections 40e. The third magnetic strip 17 c is coupled to the devices 1 b of theintermediate level through fourth projections 40 f and magnetic couplingvias 51 b traversing the second flexible substrate 15 b. The thirdmagnetic strip 17 c is moreover coupled to the devices 1 c of the bottomlevel through fifth projections 40 g coplanar to the third magneticstrip 17 c. The fourth magnetic strip 17 d is coupled to the devices 1 cof the bottom level through sixth projections 40 h and magnetic couplingvias 51 c traversing the third flexible substrate 15 c.

Of course, the projections 40 a-40 h could be provided in any of theways shown in FIG. 12; for example, each projection 40 a-40 h may beformed by a plurality of segments, be aligned or staggered, or inclinedin different ways. By virtue of the plurality of levels, it is possibleto have a plurality of magnetic generators 18.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment with more levels, or a stacked embodiment,and the device 1 arranged on the bottom level carries needles 60 havingmicrochannels and projecting at the bottom from the panel 20, forenabling injection of liquids in wells (not shown) housed in the device1. The device 1 arranged at the intermediate level is a SiP (System inPackage) having magnetic vias 24 between the magnetic strips 17 and theantennas 4 (not shown), and the top device 1 may be an ASIC with apossible MEMS device, for example operating as a transducer.Alternatively, the bottom device 1 may carry electrodes (not shown)facing the bottom surface of the panel 20, for application of stimuli toa surface to which the panel is applied (for example, the skin) forcarrying out stimulation in order to measure biological parameters andthe like.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the present network 14 wherein the panel20 is configured as a ring so that it may be fitted on the human body oron an animal, for example as bracelet, collar, thigh strap, waist beltand the like. For example, the panel may form a flexible bracelet, forinstance, a watch bracelet.

The panel 20 may be continuous or provided with an openable fastener andhouses a plurality of devices 1 and one or more magnetic strips 17 so asto form a flexible and foldable apparatus such as a cell phone, atablet, a television set, a computer, a medical apparatus, or the like,associated, if so desired, with a traditional wrist watch.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 18-39, a smart network is formed on asame fabric, on a same garment, on different portions not coupledtogether of a same garment, or on a plurality of garments. Here, thenetwork is divided into a plurality of systems, which, thanks to thecontained dimensions of each system, are inserted in smart buttons.Hereinafter, the divided systems are referred to as “devices” by analogywith the embodiment of FIGS. 1-17.

Here, each device inserted in a smart button has an embedded antennathat enables coupling with the other devices of the network in wirelessmode using passive wired conductive lines, provided with wired antennasat nodes of the network. The smart buttons are arranged at the nodes andreceive energy via an electromagnetic concentrator/expander.

In detail, FIGS. 18 and 19 show the structure of a network 100, formedon a garment 101. The network 100 includes an electrical line 102extending on the fabric of the garment 101 and electrically couplingtogether a plurality of intermediate nodes 103. In turn, eachintermediate node 103 is magnetically coupled to a respective device 104(FIG. 19) housed in a smart button. The network 100 further includes amain node 105 coupled to a power-supply unit 106, for supply of thenetwork. As shown in particular in FIG. 19, each intermediate node 103is basically formed by a wired antenna 110. Each device 104 may bebasically formed as the device 1 of FIGS. 1-17 and may include at leastone semiconductor chip or form a complex system, for example a SiP.Basically, each device 104 includes an embedded antenna 111, coupled toa respective wired antenna 110, one or more functional elements 112, andone or more electronic circuits 113. Here, in general, and similarly tothe non-electronic elements 8 of FIG. 3, the functional elements 112include one or more non-electronic elements, of anelectrical/mechanical/chemical type, such as microelectromechanicalsystems (MEMS, for example forming sensors or actuators or more ingeneral transducers), or interfaces, electrodes, wells, cells containingliquids, etc., and the electronic circuits 113 (equivalent to theelectronic part 2 of FIG. 3) may include memory elements, control units,converters, adapters, digital circuits, analog circuits, or RF circuits,in addition to a transceiver circuit similar to the circuit 3 of FIG. 3.

Also the power-supply unit 106 includes an embedded antenna 108, coupledto a respective wired antenna 107 of the main node 105, a battery or aset of batteries 115, and a DC/AC converter 116, coupled between thebattery 115 and the embedded antenna 108. The power-supply unit 106 maymoreover include a memory for storing the data transmitted by thedevices 104 through the corresponding intermediate nodes 103 and may becoupled to a cell phone (not shown) for exchanging data with otherexternal systems, even remote ones.

Furthermore, in FIG. 19 a far-field antenna 120 is provided for enablingcoupling with the external environment, for example with a furthergarment or a generic electronic system, and is coupled with the network100 through the electrical line 102.

The electrical line 102 may be formed by a single conductive wire thatmay possibly be welded at the ends and forms both the loops of theantennas 107, 110 (as discussed hereinafter) and the forward and returnlines or partly forward and partly return lines. Alternatively, theelectrical line 102 may be formed by a plurality of conductive wires,arranged on top of or embedded in the material of the garment 101. Theelectrical line 102 may be made of one or more conductive materials, forexample copper, aluminium, tungsten, gold, silver, nickel, platinum, ortheir alloys. The electrical line 102 may be considered as atransmission line that may be of a known type, for example of atwin-lead type or of a GSG (Ground Signal Ground) or GSSG (Ground SignalSignal Ground) type or the like.

For example, FIG. 20 a shows an embodiment where the garment 101 isformed by a knitted fabric. In this embodiment, the knitted fabric isformed by a plurality of yarns 125, and conductive wires 121 extendtherethrough and are made, for example, of copper or aluminium.Alternatively, the conductive wires 121 may be formed by optical fibers,or even the optical fibers, generally of flexible material, may beknitted selectively together with the yarns 120 and form part of thefabric material.

FIG. 20 b shows a different embodiment, where the fabric is woven and isformed by standard weft and warp yarns 125, and electrical wires 126,for example of copper or aluminium, are embedded directly within atleast some of the yarns 125, for example twisted simultaneouslytherewith.

In both embodiments, the electrical wires 121 and 126 are generallyinsulated; for example, they have a sheath or a dielectric coating.

The network 100 is thus of a modular type, and the devices 104 (someembodiments whereof are described hereinafter) are interchangeable so asto enable devices 104 having different functional elements 112 to bepositioned each time according to the application. This enables systemsto be obtained that globally have characteristics even markedlydifferent from each other on the basis of the type of smart buttonsused.

The devices 104, the power-supply unit 106, and the garment 101 aremanufactured separately and are galvanically insulated from one another,thus rendering the system very reliable, flexible, repairable,configurable, and suited for being worn. The garment 101 may also bewashed in a conventional way, for example, after prior removal of thesmart buttons to prevent damage to the smart buttons.

FIGS. 21 a and 21 b show an embodiment of the main node 105 and of thepower-supply unit 106.

In detail, as may be seen from the cross-section of FIG. 21 b, thepower-supply unit 106 is closed in a package 130, for example ofplastic, and is housed in a pocket 133 of the garment 101 overlying thewired antenna 107 so that the embedded antenna 108 and the wired antenna107 are magnetically coupled and the latter may receive power forsupplying the entire network 100.

The wired antenna 107 of the power-supply unit 106 (like the wiredantenna 110 of the smart buttons 104) may be obtained simply as a turnof conductive material for RF lines and antennas (such as, for example,a wire of aluminium or an aluminium alloy or coated with aluminium so asto prevent oxidation). The wired antenna 107 is formed by the sameconductive wires as the electrical line 102 and is also integral withthe fabric of the garment 101 similarly to what discussed previouslywith reference to FIGS. 20 a and 20 b, or the conductive wires may besewn on a pre-existing fabric.

The pocket 133 may be a traditional pocket of the garment 101, or apurposely provided pocket, provided with a fastener (not shown), forexample a zip or a Velcro® fastener that enables easy opening thereoffor removal of the power-supply unit 106 together with the correspondingpackage 130, for example for replacing the battery 115 or for replacingthe entire power-supply unit 106, when the battery 115 is run down.

FIG. 22 a shows an embodiment where the wired antenna 107 is at leastformed by a conductive wire 122, and a separate U-shaped portion of wire124 is arranged between the forward stretch and the return stretch ofthe conductive wire 122 so as to form two fringing capacitors 134 inseries to each other. In this way, the fringing capacitors 134 form,with the loop of the antenna 107, a parallel LC circuit forming aresonant antenna that enables a better transfer of energy from thepower-supply unit 106 to the main node 105.

FIG. 22 b shows a variant of FIG. 22 a, where the fringing capacitor 134is formed by two parallel stretches arranged close to the conductivewire 122.

FIG. 23 shows an embodiment of the main node 105 wherein a magneticshield 137 extends in the fabric of the garment 101 underneath the wiredantenna 107 of the main node 105 (see also FIG. 24). The magnetic shield137 is formed by a magnetic film, for example of a cobalt or nickelalloy or a soft magnetic material, with a different pattern, for exampleforming a regular or irregular plane geometry, such as a rectangle orsquare or a pattern formed by segments, coupled or not, the envelopewhereof covers the entire area of the wired antenna 107.

The magnetic shield 137 enables shielding of the generated magneticfield for a person who is wearing the garment 101 and thus reduction ofthe dangerous effects in particular when the signals exchanged on thenetwork 100 have a high frequency, for example of 1 GHz. In a variant,the magnetic shield may be replaced by a conductive shield, for exampleof aluminium.

Moreover, the magnetic shield 137 may form part of a magnetic cage 139also including a top portion 138, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 so as toobtain a good confinement of the magnetic field inside the pocket 133.

In FIG. 24, the top portion 138 of the magnetic cage 139 is formedwithin the package 130 of the power-supply unit 106 and also this isformed by a magnetic film, having a structure and made of materialssimilar to those of the magnetic shield 137, except for the fact that itextends spatially so as to define five surfaces of a polyhedron in anembodiment.

Alternatively, according to FIG. 25, the top portion 138 may be providedin the fabric of the pocket 103 and may be coupled or not to themagnetic shield 137. In either case, the magnetic cage 139 iselectrically insulated from the conductive wires 122, 123.

FIG. 26 shows an embodiment wherein the main node 105 is coupled to acell phone 142 that may be put in a pocket 143 of the garment 101, forexample, a traditional pocket. Here, the cell phone 142 has an antenna144 of an inductive type, similar to the embedded antennas 111 of thedevices 104 or the embedded antenna 108 of the power-supply unit 106 andcoupled to the wired antenna 107 arranged at the pocket 143.Alternatively, the antenna 144 may be formed by an antenna 144 a of aHertzian type (as shown in the enlarged detail of FIG. 26) and by anantenna 144 b of an inductive type, coupled to the wired antenna 107 onthe garment 101. The antenna 144 b of the inductive type has the purposeof supplying energy, whereas the antenna 144 a of the Hertzian type hasan equivalent antenna (not shown and similar to the antenna 144 a) onthe garment 101 and may be used for communications.

With such an embodiment, the cell phone 142 operates as an interfacebetween the network 100 and the outside world and is able, for example,to send signals outside, for example, measured vital parameters formedical analyses or alarm signals.

FIGS. 27 a, 27 b, and 28-30 show possible embodiments of the smartbutton, designated by 150, and of the corresponding wired antenna 110.Here, see FIG. 28, the smart button 150 has a structure similar to knownpress-studs and includes a mushroom-shaped body 151 and a fixing ring152. The mushroom-shaped body 151 has a stem 153 and a head 154, and thefixing ring 152 has a hole 155 designed to house the terminal portion ofthe stem 153. To this end, the mushroom-shaped body 151 and the fixingring 152 are made of partially compliant material, for example plastic,and have dimensions such as to generate an interference coupling andblock the stem 153 safely inside the hole 155 (pressure blocking).Alternatively, the stem 153 may have a diameter slightly smaller thanthe hole 155 but have a peripheral projection co-operating with anannular groove of the fixing ring 152, or vice versa, so as to furtherensure constant mutual positioning. Alternatively, other known fixingmeans may be provided, for example screw, magnet, or the like means.

The garment 101 is arranged between the head 154 and the fixing ring 152and has, at the intermediate node 103, a through opening 160, passed bythe stem 153. The through opening 160 has a diameter that is the same asor a little larger than the diameter of the stem 153. In addition, thehead 154 of the mushroom-shaped body 151 and the fixing ring 152 arearranged on opposite sides of the garment 101.

In the embodiment of FIG. 27 a, within the garment 101, at theintermediate node 103, the conductive wires 122, 123 are curved to formsemi-arched portions 161 surrounding the eyelet 160 on opposite sides soas to form a sort of loop forming the wired antenna 110.

FIG. 27 b shows an embodiment wherein the wired antenna 110 is formed bya first conductive wire 122 extending to form the loop of the wiredantenna 110 and has a return portion 135 coupled to a second conductivewire 127 through a fringing capacitor 134. Here, the fringing capacitor134 forms, with the loop 110, a series LC circuit of a resonant antennathat enables a better transfer of energy between the intermediate node103 and the corresponding device 104.

In an embodiment, the fringing capacitor 134 of the series LC circuitreduces and in certain cases eliminates the need for welds or electricalcouplings between the wires, in particular when the electrical line 102and the corresponding plurality of nodes 103 are formed by a singleconductive wire, as explained above.

As shown in FIG. 28, each mushroom-shaped body 151 houses a respectivedevice 104; in detail, a functional element 112, here, for example, anelectrode/sensor 162, is housed within the stem 153, while anotherfunctional element 112, for example an interface 163, is arranged in thehead 154. The position and number of the functional elements 112 areonly indicative and may vary according to the application. The interface163 may include, for example, a LED element, a microphone, aloudspeaker, a switch, or a keypad membrane, for input of a datum.

The electronic circuit 113 is here housed in the head 154 and is coupledto the embedded antenna 111 and to the functional elements 112. Alsohere, the electronic circuit 113 may include an integrated circuit, aSoC, a SiP, or the like. In general, the functional element or elements112 and the electronic circuit or circuits 113 may be arrangedvariously, according to the specific application. In addition, in avariant not shown, the embedded antenna 111 may be integrated within theelectronic circuit 113.

In FIG. 28, two portions of the wired antenna 110 are shown,corresponding to the cross-section of the turn or turns forming wiredantenna 110, and the fixing ring 152 contains a shield element 164 of anannular shape formed by a magnetic or conductive film, similar to themagnetic shield 137 of FIG. 24.

In an embodiment of FIG. 29, the functional elements 112 may include acontainer, tray, or vial 167 and a syringe 169 coupled together by aduct 166. In detail, here the container 167, filled with a medication168 (for example insulin), is arranged, for example, in the head 154 andis coupled to the syringe 169, represented only schematically. The topsurface of the head 154 is here formed by a transparent wall 170 forinspection of the container 167, for example in order to indicate whenthe latter is empty. The electronic circuit 113, here incorporating theembedded antenna 110, may regulate the passage of the medication 168from the container 167 to the syringe 169, by controlling a valve 172 inthe duct 166.

The smart button 150 of FIG. 29 may, for example, be a disposablecomponent to be replaced after the container 167 has been emptied.Moreover, other smart buttons 150 of the network 100 may carry outmonitoring of preset quantities (for example, the content of sugar inthe blood of the person who is wearing the garment 101) in order to beable to dispense preset amounts of the medication 168 in a programmedway, when necessary.

In FIG. 30, the container 167 is coupled to an input channel 173, oneend whereof projects from the head 154. The input channel 173 hasclosing elements (not shown) or is coupled to an external reservoir (notshown) and enables filling of the container 167 when emptied.

FIGS. 31-35 refer to an embodiment wherein the network 100 extends onvarious garments 101 or various parts of a same garment that areseparated by a discontinuity, for example different flaps 101 a, 101 bof a jacket (as shown in FIG. 31), but may be coupled via buttons orsome other closing system allowing overlapping of fabric flaps, if it isnecessary to transfer power and thus a near-field magnetic coupling isrequired. In the alternative, the antennas could be close to one anotherif they are used only for communication, in which case it may bepossible to use also far-field antennas (not shown).

In this case, the network 100 is formed by two or more network portions100 a and 100 b, the electrical lines 102 a, 102 b whereof are notelectrically coupled to one another because of at least one physicallyinterrupted line.

According to FIG. 31, a single main node 105 supplies the networkportions 100 a and 100 b. These have a plurality of end nodes 180 a, 180b arranged at fastening elements (e.g., eyelets, buttons, press studs,zips), for example, in proximity of the edge of the respective flap 101a, 101 b of the garment 101. In practice, the end nodes 180 a and theend nodes 180 b are equal in number and are arranged so that theoverlapping of the two flaps 101 a, 101 b of a same garment 101 or oftwo different garments (not shown) and the possible fastening operationwill lead to a superposition between each half-node 180 a and arespective half-node 180 b. The end nodes 180 a, 180 b are eachbasically formed by a respective loop antenna 183 a, 183 b embedded inthe fabric of the garment 101. In this way, the operation of closing orfixing of the two flaps 101 a, 101 b leads to superposition of the loopantennas 183 and thus to magnetic coupling of the network portions 100 aand 100 b at the end nodes 180 a, 180 b (near-field coupling).

Consequently, in this case, the network 100 may include just one mainnode 105 and a just one power-supply unit 106.

FIG. 32 shows the cross-section of the garment 101 when the garment 101is fastened with fasteners 181 (e.g., snap fasteners, snaps, poppers,press-studs). In detail, the fasteners 181 are formed by two halves 181a, 181 b similar to those of a traditional fastener, and are providedwith blocking rings 182. Also here, the nodes 180 a, 180 b are formedwithin the fabric of the garment 101.

Alternatively, the fasteners 181 may provide an electrical couplingbetween the lines 102 a, 102 b of each half-network, exploiting thecontiguity and direct contact between the two halves 181 a, 181 b of thefasteners 181. In this case, each fastener 181 may include couplers(formed by conductive portions fitted together) to create at least oneelectrical coupling. In this case, the antennas 183 may or may not beprovided.

A device 104 may also be provided embedded in one of the two halves 181a, 181 b of the fastener 181, which would thus operate as a smartbutton.

FIGS. 33 a and 33 b regard a garment 101 having a fastening system withbutton and eyelet. In this case, the end nodes 180 a may be arranged atthe eyelets 185, and the end nodes 180 b may be provided at the buttons186 of the type sewn using thread 187 on the respective flap of thegarment 101.

Here, the end nodes 180 a, 180 b are once again formed each by arespective loop antenna 183 a, 183 b embedded or fixed in the respectiveflap of the garment 101 so that the operation of buttoning causessuperposition of the loop antennas 183. The two loop antennas 183 a, 183b have comparable dimensions. In addition, also here, the button 186 mayembed a device 104 coupled, via the respective embedded antenna 110, tothe underlying loop antennas 183. For example, the embedded antenna 110of the device 104 may be arranged on the periphery of the button 186,for example formed on the top or bottom surface of the button 186.

Alternatively, the button 186 may embed the embedded antenna 110 of thedevice 104, and the loop antenna 183 b of the half-node 180 b may beformed in the respective flap of the garment 101 b underneath theembedded antenna 110.

In FIGS. 34 and 35, a thread 191 that holds the button 186 attached tothe respective flap 101 b of the garment 101 is made of magneticmaterial. Here, the button 186 houses the antenna of the device 104,designated by 192 and arranged outside the device 104. The antenna 192may have, for example, the shape of an 8 on its side so as to form twoturns arranged alongside each other and contiguous, each surrounding arespective hole 193 of the button 186. The node 180 b may here be formedby a similar double-loop antenna 194 with two turns (one whereof open,for coupling with the electrical line 102 b), as may be seen in FIG. 36,where the button 186 has not been represented for clarity. Here, theloop antenna 183 b forms two circumferences 195 and 196, whereofcircumference 195 is external and is substantially congruent with, andsuperimposable (after buttoning) on, the loop antenna 183 a on the otherflap 101 a, and circumference 196 is internal and passes between theholes 193 of the button 186 so as to couple with the antenna 192 of thedevice 104. Alternatively, the node 180 b may be provided as a singleturn arranged underneath one of the two turns of the double-loop antenna192.

According to another alternative, the button 186 may not house anydevice 104, or the device 104 may have an own embedded antenna 111 as analternative to the double-loop antenna 192.

The presence of the wire 191 of magnetic material enables an increase inthe magnetic coupling between the two end nodes 180 a, 180 b andpossibly the device 104.

Moreover, the external circumference 195 enables a good coupling withthe loop antenna 183 a on the other flap 101 a, and the internalcircumference 196 enables a good coupling with the double-loop antenna192.

According to a variant not shown, the loop antenna 183 b may be formedby a single turn that passes between the holes 193 of the button 186 andhas a circular or polygonal shape. Such an embodiment is particularlysuitable if a button 186 has a double-loop antenna 192, as in FIG. 34.

FIGS. 37 and 38 show a smart button 197 that may be used for couplingtwo separate networks via a far-field coupling, for example the network100 with a domotic network or a music installation, as represented bythe dashed portion of the electrical line 102 of FIG. 31.

The smart button 197 has two stems 198, 199 projecting from a singlehead 200 and designed to extend each through a respective opening 201and 202 of the garment 101. The stems 198, 199 are fixed throughrespective fixing rings 253, as has been described for the stem 153 ofFIG. 28. Alternatively, a single fixing element may have two holes forfixing, coupling by snap-action, or coupling by interference with thestems 198, 199.

The smart button 197 houses one or more functional elements 112, one ormore electronic circuits 113, and two embedded antennas 111, one foreach stem 198, 199.

The garment 101 has a first wired antenna 205 surrounding one of theholes, here the hole 201, similarly to FIG. 27. The first wired antenna205 is formed by the conductive wires 122, 123 and is magneticallycoupled to one of the embedded antennas 111 of the smart button 197. Inaddition, the garment 101 has a Hertzian antenna formed by two dipoles206 a and 206 b, coupled via electrical conductors 207 to a second wiredantenna 208 extending around the other hole, here the hole 200, andcoupled to the other embedded antenna 111 of the smart button 197.

Such an embodiment may be used in particular when the power-supply unit106 does not have a far-field antenna.

FIG. 39 shows an architecture that enables coupling between twodifferent networks 210 and 211, each of which is formed as described forthe network 100. The networks 210, 211 may be formed on a same garment101 or on two adjacent garments, such as trousers and jacket of a pairof overalls. The two networks 210, 211 are coupled together through twoantennas 215, in near field when there is a single power-supply unit 106for the two networks 210, 211, for example arranged in the network 211.The two networks 210, 211 are coupled together through two far-fieldantennas 215, if both the networks have an own power-supply unit 106.One of the two networks, for example, the network 211, may be coupled toa cell phone 142 that enables coupling to the outside world; in thiscase, the cell phone 142 may also include the power-supply unit 106.

One of the two networks 210, 211 may be arranged also on an objectdifferent from a garment, for example on a watch bracelet, and may havea display for displaying signals generated by the sensors of the othernetwork, without any power-supply unit, in so far as it receives theelectrical power necessary for its operation from the other network.

The network described herein may have a number of advantages.

In fact, it may be formed on flexible supports and thus enablesarrangement of electronic devices, which are in themselves not flexible,wherever necessary, since the coupling between the devices is obtainedwithout contact (wireless), and thus folding of the support does notentail any risk of interrupting the electrical coupling.

In addition, it is modular, and may be easily adapted to the specificapplication by inserting or fixing devices suited for the purpose.

For example, in an embodiment of FIGS. 1-17, magnetic vias may traversethe devices 1 for improving coupling between the antennas 4 and themagnetic strips 17, moreover enabling use of a single strip that maypossibly be closed to form a ring or toroid.

The individual embodiments described may be variously combined togetherso as to provide innumerable other embodiments, according to theapplication.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specificembodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration,various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit andscope of the disclosure. Furthermore, where an alternative is disclosedfor a particular embodiment, this alternative may also apply to otherembodiments even if not specifically stated.

1.-24. (canceled)
 25. An apparatus, comprising: a housing; and a circuitdisposed within the housing and configured to communicate magneticallywith at least one other circuit disposed outside of the housing.
 26. Theapparatus of claim 25 wherein the housing forms at least a portion of aclothing button.
 27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the housing formsat least a portion of a clothing snap.
 28. A system, comprising: aflexible first layer; and first circuits configured to be coupled to thelayer, each of the circuits configured to communicate with at least oneof the other circuits.
 29. The system of claim 28 wherein the flexiblefirst layer includes a polymeric material.
 30. The system of claim 28wherein the flexible first layer includes at least a portion of a pieceof a wearable article.
 31. The system of claim 28 wherein at least oneof the first circuits is disposed on the layer.
 32. The system of claim28 wherein at least one of the first circuits is at least partiallydisposed within the layer.
 33. The system of claim 28 wherein each ofthe circuits includes at least one respective antenna that is configuredto communicate with at least one antenna of the at least one othercircuit. 34.-35. (canceled)
 36. The system of claim 28, furthercomprising a conductor secured to the flexible first layer andconfigured to couple each of the circuits to the at least one of theother circuits. 37.-38. (canceled)
 39. The system of claim 28, furthercomprising a conductor secured to the flexible first layer andconfigured to provide power to each of the circuits. 40.-41. (canceled)42. The system of claim 28, further comprising: a conductor secured tothe flexible first layer; and wherein each of the circuits includes atleast one respective antenna that is configured to communicatemagnetically with the conductor. 43.-44. (canceled)
 45. The system ofclaim 28, further comprising: a magnetic conductor secured to theflexible first layer; and wherein each of the circuits includes at leastone respective antenna that is disposed around at least a portion of themagnetic conductor.
 46. The system of claim 28, further comprising: anelectrical conductor secured to the flexible first layer; and whereineach of the circuits includes at least one respective antenna that isconfigured to me magnetically coupled to the electrical conductor. 47.The system of claim 28, further comprising: a housing that is configuredto be coupled to the flexible first layer; and wherein at least one ofthe first circuits is disposed within the housing.
 48. The system ofclaim 28, further comprising: a housing forming at least a portion ofbutton configured to be coupled to at least a portion of the flexiblefirst layer; and wherein at least one of the first circuits is disposedwithin the housing.
 49. The system of claim 28, further comprising: ahousing forming at least a portion of a snap configured to be coupled toat least a portion of the flexible first layer; and wherein at least oneof the first circuits is disposed within the housing.
 50. The system ofclaim 28, further comprising: a flexible second layer secured to thefirst layer; and second circuits configured to be coupled to the secondlayer, each of the second circuits configured to communicate with atleast one of the other second circuits.
 51. The system of claim 25,further comprising: a flexible second layer secured to the first layer;and second circuits configured to be coupled to the second layer, eachof the second circuits configured to communicate with at least one ofthe first circuits.
 52. A method, comprising: generating a first signalwith a first circuit coupled to a flexible material; and receiving asecond signal that is related to the first signal with a second circuitcoupled to the flexible material.
 53. The method of claim 52 wherein thefirst and second signals respectively include first and second magneticsignals.
 54. The method of claim 52 wherein the first and second signalsrespectively include first and second electrical signals.
 55. The methodof claim 52 wherein: the first signal include a magnetic signal; and thesecond signal includes an electrical signal.
 56. The method of claim 52wherein: the first signal include an electrical signal; and the secondsignal includes a magnetic signal.
 57. The method of claim 52 whereinthe flexible material forms at least a portion of a wearable article.